Assistant coaches Bacari Alexander and LaVall Jordan discuss what it means for Michigan to make its first Final Four appearance in 20 years (April 3, 2013).

Bacari Alexander begins his sixth season as an assistant coach with the University of Michigan basketball program. A Detroit native, Alexander will be one of U-M's top recruiters and coach the Maize and Blue post players, while continuing to help in the development of defensive strategies, scouting opponents and on-court coaching.

In his five seasons in Ann Arbor, Alexander has helped the Wolverine program to four straight NCAA Tournament bids, including a trip to the 2013 Final Four -- the first for the program in 20 years, followed up with a return trip to the Elite Eight in 2014.

The 2013 NCAA appearance included a trip to the Final Four -- the first for the program in 20 years -- where the Wolverines lost in the national title game to Louisville. U-M followed in 2014 with its second straight NCAA Elite Eight as the Wolverines just missed its second straight Final Four losing on a buzzer beater to Kentucky. In addition to the 2012-13 season culminating in a national runner-up finish, U-M matched the schools record for wins in a season at 31.

Michigan claimed a share of the 2012 Big Ten regular-season title with a 13-5 record -- the first for the program since 1986. The Wolverines just missed claiming a shared of the 2013 conference title, but won their first outright Big Ten title in 28 years in 2014 with a 15-3 record, winning the league by three games.

Alexander came to Michigan after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Western Michigan (2008-10). Working with the Broncos' young group of front court players, Alexander helped guide the Broncos to their second-straight MAC West Division championship. Before making his way to Western Michigan, Alexander spent one season at Ohio (2007-08) helping the Bobcats finish 20-13 overall and advance to the second round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational.

Alexander began his coaching career spending six seasons coaching at his alma mater, University of Detroit (2001-07), under head coach Perry Watson. Alexander helped the Titans compile 96 wins in six seasons, including 53 victories in the Horizon League, finishing .500 or better in conference play in five-of-six seasons.

Throughout his coaching career, Alexander has developed over 80 percent of his former front court players to gain opportunities to play professional basketball at various levels.

As a collegiate player, Alexander spent two seasons at Detroit after transferring from Robert Morris. Alexander started 57 of his 62 games at Detroit, helping the Titans win a pair of Midwestern Collegiate Conference (MCC) regular-season championships and secure back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths -- 1998 and 1999. As a senior, Alexander was named to the MCC All-Defensive Team.

Prior to playing at Detroit, Alexander played two seasons at Robert Morris where he saw action in 55 games. He was named to the Northeast Conference All-Newcomer Team in 1995. Alexander prepped at Detroit Southwestern under Larry Pierce.

Alexander received the President's Award as UDM's most outstanding senior student-athlete, and graduated in 1999 with a bachelor's of science in business administration and finance. After graduation, he went to work for the Detroit Pistons as a Player Programs Coordinator, then left to return to the court as a member of the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters. During his two seasons (2000-01) with the Trotters, Alexander played basketball in 13 countries, while also directing several camps for the team around the United States.

Additionally, he served as an "Advance Ambassador" for the Globetrotters, performing public relations duties, while making media and school appearances. In 2002, all past and current Globetrotters were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Alexander has also been recognized as one of the most fashionable assistant coach in America. Alexander is a five-time (2005, '07, '09, '10, '13) winner of CollegeInsider.com's Runway to the Fashionable Four and runner-up in 2008. He is the only five-time winner (head or assistant coach) in the contest's history.

Alexander remains active in the metro Detroit area and surrounding communities, volunteering as a motivational speaker promoting optimism and responsibility.